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HOW IT WORKS
Summer camp is a week-long program for students entering 4th grade through high school graduates.
We handle everything — counselors, programming, activities, and spiritual content. Your job is to get your students here.
Campers from the same church will not automatically be housed together, but we allow up to two cabinmate requests per camper, and no more than three campers who know each other in the same cabin.
Families register individually online. Your group attends the same week together, but campers are placed in grade-based programs, not grouped by church.
CHURCH CODES
If your church wants to cover part or all of the registration cost for your students, we can set up a church code. Codes are applied at checkout when families register online.
To request a church code, mention it in your inquiry form below or contact our office directly.
REGISTRATION
How families register
Families register campers individually online through CampBrain. Your church does not submit a group registration.
Payment
Flexible payment plan options are available. Payment is due in full two weeks prior to the registered week. Families who register before September 6 are not required to put a deposit down at the time of registration.
How to start
If your church hasn’t brought a group before, fill out our Summer Camp Inquiry Form and we’ll reach out to walk you through the process and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
LEADERS & BACKGROUND CHECKS
Do you need to send leaders?
Churches do not need to provide their own counselors during the camp week — Lake Ann Camp staff handle camper supervision and programming. However, if your church would like adult leaders to stay on campus during the week, guest housing may be available.
Background check requirement
Every adult leader who is on site when camp is in session must have passed a national criminal and sexual offender background check using SSN within the last three years. This is required before your group can attend — not something to sort out on arrival.
You have two options:
- Option 1 — Submit your own: If you already have a valid and qualified background check within the last three years, contact our office here.
- Option 2 — Use our provider: Submit background checks through our provider. Select “church” if the church is paying (we’ll bill you) or “visitor” if the leader is paying online. Cost is $8.00 per leader, paid directly to the provider. Background checks completed through our provider are valid for three years for any future Lake Ann Camp retreats.
HEALTH FORMS
All camper health forms are completed by families as part of their individual online registration. Your church does not need to collect or manage these.
Families with campers who have medications or significant health needs should review the medication packaging guidelines before camp.
Review medication guidelines >
TRUSTED MEDICAL CARE
Lake Ann Camp has a health office with nursing staff on site throughout the summer camp season. Our protocol for emergencies is to call 9-1-1. Almira Township Fire & EMS is less than one mile from camp.
The health office is available to registered campers and camp staff. Adult guests staying in guest housing should be aware that health services are not available to them. In the event of a medical need, our staff will help connect you with local services.
GUEST HOUSING
Leaders who would like to stay on campus during their church’s week of camp may request guest housing.
Housing is not guaranteed — availability is limited and assigned based on need and circumstance, with priority given to out-of-state groups and those with specific logistical requirements.
If guest housing is something your group leaders need, click below.
MORE ON SUMMER GUEST HOUSINGTRAVELING FROM FAR AWAY?
You don’t have to rush.
Groups traveling long distances may request to arrive on Sunday afternoon before camp begins.
Early arrival gives your group a chance to get settled, rest up, and start the week without scrambling on Monday morning.
Early departure allows your group to hit the road when needed, making for a less hectic drive home.
LEARN MOREARRIVAL & CHECK-IN
Check-in begins Monday at 10:00 AM
Please head to the Welcome Center upon arrival. Staff will be there to greet your group, assist with luggage, and answer questions.
Upon check-in, campers will be directed to their grade-based program flag, where they’ll connect with their counselor and cabin group for the week.
Leaders who are staying in guest housing may check in to their cabin between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM on Monday. Please come to the Welcome Center first.
PICKUP & DEPARTURE
Check-out is Saturday at 9:00 AM
Church leaders who are transporting students by bus are responsible for signing campers out on Saturday morning.
Our office will contact group leaders in advance of their week with the names of the persons authorized to sign campers out.
Make sure those individuals have a valid photo ID with them on Saturday morning.
FAQs
As soon as you know you’re interested. Popular weeks can fill up, and if your church wants a church code set up before families start registering, that takes lead time. Reaching out in the fall for the following summer is never too early.
Leaders who are staying at camp during the week need to register through the summer guest housing process. If your church isn’t sending leaders, no leader registration is needed.
We can set up a church code that applies a discount at checkout. Contact our office before students begin registering to get that in place.
Possibly not. If your church has run qualifying background checks within the last three years using SSN, you can contact our office during the guest housing registration process.
Not automatically. Campers are placed in a grade-based program, not by church. Students can make up to two cabinmate requests during registration, but no more than three campers who know each other will be placed in the same cabin.
Groups traveling long distances may be eligible for early arrival on Sunday or early departure before Saturday check-out. Both options require advance arrangements with our office. Learn more >
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